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Sunday, March 7, 2010

Book Views (2)

Again, I am copying Kate over at The Neverending Shelf (Viva La Revolution!) in these Book Views. Basically, I give you a picture, the summary and a review (in less than 75 words).

All graphic novels again!



Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident
by Eoin Colfer

Summary (from Goodreads):
Since the release of Artemis Fowl in 2001, Eoin Colfer's blockbuster series has sold more than eight million copies in the United States alone. Now, in this second graphic novel installment of the series, fans can follow along as the world's youngest criminal mastermind rushes to save a man who has been kidnapped by the Russian Mafiya: his own father.

Eoin Colfer has once again teamed up with acclaimed comic writer Andrew Donkin to adapt the text for this action-packed, brilliantly illustrated adventure in the Artemis Fowl series.


Review: If I thought the books were awesome when I read them - then the graphic novels are even better. Full of action and long enough to really cover the whole story, the graphic novel version was fantastic. I hope they make the whole series into graphic novels. :)

Final Verdict: A must-read for lovers of fairies, CSI, and espionage but definitely geared towards 4th grade and up.


Binky the Space Cat
by Ashley Spires

Summary (from Goodreads):
Binky is a space cat - at least in his own mind. He's really a house cat who has never left the family "space station." Unlike other house cats, Binky has a mission: to blast off into outer space (outside), explore unknown places (the backyard) and battle aliens (bugs). Binky must undergo rigorous training so he can repel the alien attacks that threaten his humans. As he builds his spaceship, he must be extremely careful with his blueprints - the enemy is always watching. Soon Binky is ready to voyage into outer space. His humans go out there every day and he's sure they need a certified space cat to protect them. But just as he's about to blast off with his co-pilot, Ted (stuffed mousie), Binky realizes that he's left something very important behind ... and it's not the zero-gravity kitty litter. In the first book in the Binky Adventure series, graphic-novel readers will delight in watching where this lovable and quirky cat's imagination takes him.


Review: A seriously cute and fun graphic novel, the reader follows Binky through his serious venture into space travel. He defies gravity to save his humans from the evil aliens (aka flies) and is seriously cute while doing it. In the end, he decides creating a spaceship only for him is foolish and makes plans to create one that will fit his humans as well - so they can travel with him.


Final Verdict: Cute and fun at the same time. A good read for younger students (2nd - 3rd grade).


Luke on the Loose
by Harry Bliss

Summary (from Goodreads):
What begins as a simple tale of a child's fascination with pigeons soon erupts into a full-blown chase! Join Luke in his breathless quest around Central Park, across the Brooklyn Bridge, through fine dining, and into the sky. On this hysterically unconventional tour of New York, who knows where a few birds will lead?


Review: The illustrations in this book are phenomenal and they need to be to show the audience all of the reactions to Luke running loose through the city. The dialogue is simple and the pictures tell more than enough, making it a great graphic novel for younger readers.


Final Verdict: Fantastic graphic novel, suggested for 1st and 2nd graders.


The 3-2-3 Detective Agency: The Disappearance of Dave Warthog
by Fiona Robinson

Summary (from Goodreads):
On the 3:23 Express to Whiska City, five unlikely friends meet and decide to form a detective agency. There is Jenny the wise donkey, Roger the gourmet dung beetle, Priscilla the theatrical penguin, Slingshot the hyperactive sloth, and Bluebell, the shy but brave rat. With little training but a lot of pluck, they set up shop in Whiska City and soon tackle their first mystery: a rash of disappearances linked to a pink poodle’s beauty salon.


Review: A fun adventure involving a variety of different animals that are different from other animals like themselves. They all have a talent that can be used to help solve these disappearance cases. Definitely has some great values for kids in there and is safe enough for all ages to read this one.

Final Verdict: A little silly, but it totally works. Would recommend for 2nd graders and up.


The Secret Science Alliance and the Copycat Crook
by Eleanor Davis

Summary (from Goodreads):
Super-smart Julian Calendar thinks starting junior high at a new school will mean he can shed his nerdy image–but then he meets Ben and Greta, two secret scientists like himself! The three form a secret club, complete with a high-tech lair. There, they can work to their hearts content on projects like the Stink-O-Meter, the Kablovsky Copter, and the Nightsneak Goggles.

All that tinkering comes in handy when the trio discovers an evil scientist's dastardly plan to rob a museum. Can three inventors, armed with their wacky creations, hope to defeat this criminal mastermind?


Review: I just love how a geek, a tough girl, and a jock all are scientists. I absolutely loved the characters in this book and the way they formed a secret alliance. Definitely a fun read, full of adventure and hilarious/corny jokes. Their inventions are quite unique and not something you would think a grown adult would truly want to steal. But to each their own.

Final Verdict: Loved it. Definitely geared towards 3rd grade and up. The illustrations were awesome and I loved the characters.

4 comments:

  1. Great little mini reviews. Viva La Revolution!!

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  2. I need to get me the Artemis Fowl Graphic novels!

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  3. I read the first Artemis Fowl Graphic Novel and I can't wait to read the next! I hope they do the whole series :)

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  4. Just wanted to say that the kids and I loved Binky the Space Cat -- very cute!

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